Council Ignores Outcry Over Worsening Kansas City Homeless Crisis

Already this Winter is starting to look bleak as Kansas City council members work diligently to avoid desperate pleas from neighborhood leaders regarding the impact of the growing homeless population.

Here's the story . . . 

SOUTH SIDE LEADERS HAVE BEEN BEGGING COUNCIL TO DEAL WITH SQUATTERS BUT VOTER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN IGNORED!!!

An email chain recently sent our way is nearly two dozen deep but this passage seems to tell the story:

Many business owners and neighborhood people are fed up with the panhandling and homeless camps on Indian Creek River (Parks and Rec) and 103rd St area the old Coaches property (Water Department).  I will send you more e-mails so you understand what is going on in the Southland.  We lost Westlake Hardware at 103rd St. because of people shoplifting and use (destruction) of the restrooms.

There had been someone bedding down in the semi-underground garage in the ruins across the street from my house. I took this photo recently . . .

This is the north side under the bridge on 103rd at Wornall at approx. 3:00pm today.   There is no movement of the tents and when someone called 311 at 2:45 today they were advised that KCPD has to handle the situation.  If this is the water departments jurisdiction then maybe 311 needs to be updated so calls are routed properly . . .

HOA’s are concerned and would like a meeting to address the long term goal of ending the daily panhandling, trash, human waste and theft.  Watt’s Mill business owners feel ignored since this is not a new problem along the water channel but its ever growing especially after the advertised handouts from the city.
 
We want to keep South KC safe and clean and want what’s best for all including the truly homeless.  It takes all of us working together to make sure that happen.  I know I speak for many that feel it would benefit all involved to schedule a meeting either at the next Center Planning in January or sooner. 

It goes on and on and on . . .

Accordingly . . .

THE RESPONSE FROM COUNCIL LEADERS HAS BEEN PATHOLOGICAL AVOIDANCE!!!

Council Lady Bough isn't taking any meetings or calls from voters on this one . . .

Remember that she's the wife of a federal judge and she has guards to deal with any vagrants who get too close to her digs.

Council dude McManus has all but checked out from his responsibilities. 

I think he might be getting some teeth whitening done . . . So he didn't really have time to answer any concerns from residents.

Surprisingly . . . 

Council Lady Parks-Shaw is AT LEAST sending back a few e-mails to constituents with some obligatory apologies.  Still, there's not any response to complaints or recognition that she could help to solve this crisis with a call to her her hubby . . . The new Public Works honcho.

And so . . . 

What we're getting from this e-mail chain is a simple fact . . . 

Kansas City residents should expect a repeat of last year's homeless crisis and MILLIONS spent to cater to poor souls on the streets whilst voter & neighborhood complaints are dutifully ignored and/or derided by elected officials.

The only difference is that this time around there will be a bit less cash to go around.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

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